We are a Software and IT staffing agency recruiting an IT Manager for a client of ours that is in the space and defense industry! Our client specializes in designing and manufacturing high-performance aerospace, satellite, and defense systems critical to national security and advanced technological innovation. With a strong commitment to precision engineering and secure, high-reliability operations, this company provides mission-critical solutions to government and commercial clients worldwide. They are seeking an IT Manager with 10+ years of experience to lead their IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems in a highly regulated environment.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
As the IT Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the company’s IT infrastructure, ensuring security compliance with DoD and aerospace industry standards, and driving digital transformation initiatives. Your key responsibilities include:
IT Infrastructure & Systems Management
- Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise IT systems, including servers, networks, storage, and cloud solutions.
- Ensure optimal performance of ERP, PLM, CAD, and MES software for manufacturing operations.
- Manage virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) and cloud environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).
- Implement ITIL and best practices for incident, problem, and change management.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Ensure NIST 800-171, CMMC 2.0, ITAR, and DFARS compliance for handling defense-related data and systems.
- Oversee SOC, SIEM, endpoint security, and vulnerability management to protect against cyber threats.
- Develop security policies and implement multi-layered defense strategies, including Zero Trust Architecture.
- Conduct audits, risk assessments, and disaster recovery planning to ensure business continuity.
Enterprise Software & Digital Transformation
- Manage and optimize ERP (SAP, Oracle, Infor, or Microsoft Dynamics) for procurement, supply chain, and production planning.
- Support PLM (Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE) for engineering and product lifecycle management.
- Implement Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, Splunk) for operational insights.
- Drive automation initiatives using RPA (UiPath, Automation Anywhere) to improve IT efficiency.
IT Team Leadership & Vendor Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of IT professionals, including system administrators, network engineers, and cybersecurity analysts.
- Manage vendor relationships for software, hardware, and managed IT services.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and compliance teams to align IT strategy with business goals.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, PMP, ITIL, or CompTIA Security+ are highly desirable.
Required Skills and Experience
- 10+ years of IT experience in aerospace, defense, or high-tech manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity requirements including CMMC 2.0, NIST 800-171, and ITAR compliance.
- Proficiency in networking (Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet), virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Cloud Defense).
- Hands-on experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, LDAP, SSO, and MFA implementations.
- Expertise in enterprise applications (ERP, PLM, MES, and BI tools) used in manufacturing environments.
- Experience with disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and SOC monitoring tools.
- Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or Business Administration (MBA).
- Experience implementing Zero Trust Architecture and advanced cybersecurity frameworks.
- Familiarity with 5G, IoT, and AI-driven IT solutions for smart manufacturing.
- Background in aerospace and defense government contracts and classified systems.
- Knowledge of SCADA, industrial IoT security, and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.